The Launch Your Career Skills program took flight last semester, placing students with accommodations authorized through the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in paid internships in which they could explore career interests, build workplace skills and strengthen their résumés in professional settings. Developed through a partnership between SSD and the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, the initiative provides practical pathways into the professional world.
Students in the program intern with campus partners — from Residential Life and the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) to the Binghamton University Art Museum and the Human Rights Institute — to gain valuable professional experience and skills beyond the classroom.
The collaboration between SSD and the Fleishman Career Center ensured that students are supported both academically and professionally. SSD provides funding and accessibility resources, while the Fleishman Career Center contributes career guidance, mentorship and connections to internship opportunities.
“Sometimes, a student’s disability can make it difficult to find the time to pursue professional opportunities while attending college and managing their disability-related needs,” SSD Director Christen Szymanski said. “This program allows us to take our amazing students and help them find some incredible opportunities to dive into.”
Students worked on different projects as part of their placements last semester, helping to build their professional soft skills, such as organization, public speaking and communication. Some of the students’ work revolved around accessibility and inclusivity as well. One student in the program worked with the Binghamton University Art Museum to create multi-sensory exhibits, creating a meaningful and inclusive experience for people who previously may not have been fully able to appreciate the art.
Another student worked with CCE staff, publicizing CCE programming, creating content and sharing accomplishments. The student published multiple articles highlighting the work that the CCE has done to activate and engage students on campus and throughout the community. The student’s work provided value to the CCE, as well, according to Andi Stack, the CCE’s assistant director for communications.
“We gained consistent, high-quality support for our storytelling efforts, while the student gained hands-on experience in interviewing, writing and project management,” Stack said. “I could see her confidence grow as she began taking the lead in interviews, developing her own story ideas and offering an outside perspective that helped make our content clearer and more engaging.”
The Launch Your Career Skills program will continue on a semesterly basis, with SSD and the Fleishman Career Center collaborating to place a new cohort of students into different professional settings throughout the campus and local community.
“Right now, we’re the only SUNY institution doing this,” Szymanski said. “But we’re seeing a huge return and it has more than justified our continued support for this program.”